Photography Business Success Tricks | What Pop Stars Can Teach You About Running A Photography Business

Photography Business Success Tricks | Love them or hate them, today’s biggest pop stars are more than just singers and actors – they’re powerful business people and forces to be reckoned with. You think just good voices got them there? Think again! If you have some creative photography chops, you might be thinking about launching your own photography business. Keep in mind, though, that just like it took the celebrities we read about every day a lot more than having a good voice or outstanding acting skills to build their brands, it will take you a lot more than talent to turn your hobby into a profitable business.

Thanks to the equipment price drop and the fact that the photography equipment has never been easier to use, photography has become an incredibly popular profession and hobby. But just because the industry is crowded, it doesn’t mean you should give up on your dream of running your own photography business and earning a living doing what you love. It just means you need to be smart about it! To help you hit the ground running, here are some of the most effective tips for starting and running a successful business as taught by pop stars!

You’re Not Just A Photographer | Photography Business Success Tricks

If there’s anything I’ve realized after watching every season of the Voice (other than that I need to spend some quality time with my family and feed the cat more often) is that having a great voice will only get you so far. We’re all guilty of bawling our eyes out while listening to a stunning performance, sharing the video on Facebook because everyone absolutely has to hear this angelic voice, and then completely forgetting about the contestant the minute they’re off the screen. The same goes for photographers – unless you’re just as skilled at running a photography business as you are at taking stunning pictures, you’ll never succeed.

It’s the old right brain vs. left brain thing. You probably know some ridiculously talented photographers who couldn’t make it as pros and some not so great ones who are very successful at selling their work or services. Do not underestimate the power of good business skills! You’re a photographer, sure, but you’re also a business owner, and you need to bring your A game if you plan to stand out.

Know Your Niche | Photography Business Success Tricks

You need to know everything possible about your niche before jumping in. Are you trying to get more wedding gigs? Or would you like to take pictures of newborns? Or perhaps even landscapes and architecture? The specialization you choose will not only affect your branding and marketing efforts, but it will also be a major factor when choosing the equipment. “Everyone” is not a target audience. You need to determine who your ideal client is in terms of age, location, gender, even income, and clearly define the services you’re going to be providing.

Invest In The Right Equipment | Photography Business Success Tricks

Once you define your target audience, you’ll have a pretty good idea what equipment you’ll need in order to take good pictures. And since this will be the most important investment, you’ll want to make sure you get the best equipment your budget allows. Keep in mind that you’ll also need backup equipment, because even brand new equipment fails. The last thing you need is for your camera to die on you in the middle of a shoot. And lastly, you’ll want to invest in some editing software as well as backup storage and a powerful computer that can handle editing in Photoshop.

Set Your Terms | Photography Business Success Tricks

How much will you charge for the services you’re providing? Many photographers dread talking about pricing, especially when they’re just starting out. However, it’s important that you come up with a pricing plan even if you have to lower the prices to get those first gigs. If you don’t know your worth, how are your potential clients supposed to know it? Don’t leave it up to them to set the terms – instead, have your rates ready when a potential client approaches you.

Build A Strong Online Presence | Photography Business Success Tricks

We live in a digital age, and having a website is no longer optional. Even brick and mortar stores can benefit from having a professionally designed website that features their inventories and provides customers with all the relevant details. In addition to a simple website that spotlights your work and provides potential clients with package information, as well as contact details, you’ll also want to build a social media presence.

Vary your posts. Don’t constantly try to sell something to your followers. Instead, share an interesting quote, tell them a funny story about a recent shoot, or retweet your clients and their posts about the experience they had working with you. Remember that social media relationships should be a two way street, so don’t bombard your friends and followers with generic sales messages. After all, you don’t see music icons obsessively tweeting “Buy my album!” A great idea is to start a blog on your website where you can create unique content to share across social media. This will let your potential clients get to know you a bit better, and you will build a reputation of an industry expert in the process.

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MediaNovak is a creative design agency that specializes in web design, online marketing, graphic design and corporate identity solutions. We started our company with some basic ideals—offer our customers exceptional design, while delivering a positive customer experience.

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